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Abstract

Antibodies directed against idiotypes on naturally occurring human anti-animal antibodies are disclosed for use in inhibiting xenograft rejection in human patients. An effective quantity of these anti-idiotypic antibodies is injected into the actual or potential xenograft recipient in order to bind to the idiotypes expressed on anti-animal antibodies as well as subpopulations of B lymphocytes, to inhibit hyperacute rejection of transplanted animal tissues or organs by the human patient. Alternatively, anti-idiotypic antibodies are used in the form of immunoaffinity columns to deplete anti-animal antibodies from the recipient's serum. Methods of making mouse monoclonal, mouse recombinant, and human recombinant anti-idiotypic antibodies are described, as well as immunoaffinity columns containing immobilized anti-idiotypic antibodies. A method and means for assessing the expected character and severity of a patient's rejection response to transplanted animal tissues is described, as well as methods of identification, isolation and suppression of lymphocytes bearing anti-animal idiotypes.

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First Claim